This year I’m sharing some of my favorite animated films of all time. Each Saturday I’ll be dropping another entry as I count down my favorites in the animated genre. Periodically throughout the year I’ll be sharing them in this Binge Watch space. Today, I offer my picks for No. 20 to No. 11, with entries appearing in ascending order. If you want to keep up weekly, follow along Saturdays on my blog.

No. 20: Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022)
About: This was a different take on the Pinocchio story, with a different animated style. I liked the choices made with this version, which had a uniquely beautiful quality. I also liked the way the story played out. It strongly resonated with me.

No. 19: Trolls (2016)
About: Sometimes you just want some fun, bright colors and a happy story. You certainly get that here. I love Anna Kendrick as a performer, too, so I enjoyed her in this role. It’s not the deepest film, but it’s a fun ride.

No. 18: Toy Story (1995)
About: This is the one that kicked-off the franchise, and really put Pixar on the map. I remember how much I enjoyed it when it first came out and even nearly 30 years later, it still holds up. Buzz and Woody make great on-screen pals.

No. 17: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
About: I have watched this animated special each holiday season for more than 30 years. It’s a part of my Christmas routine. It’s a part of our culture. It’s a great holiday adventure with a fun story and memorable music.

No. 16: The Peanuts Movie (2015)
About: I love the Peanuts. This newish feature-length adventure pays tribute to the classic things about the Peanuts audiences love while expanding the world. We get a year in the life of Charlie Brown, and it’s glorious.

No. 15: The Incredibles (2004)
About: An original animated superhero film. Sure, this borrows some ideas from The Fantastic Four, but it is really about a family. It’s also a lot of fun with some great animation. It’s one of my favorite Pixar films.

No. 14: The Lion King (1994)
About: This was part of a run of 1990s animated films from Disney that left their mark on my generation. This is my favorite of those films, though a number have appeared on this list. I like the music and the story here. It remains one of my favorite animated films.

No. 13: The Lego Movie (2014)
About: This really changed the way I thought about Legos. It’s also a lot of fun. The animation here works well, and the main anthem is a banger that can’t help but bring a smile to your face. I enjoyed Chris Pratt as Emmet and Will Ferrell in his live-action portion of the story. This one tugs at the heartstrings.

No. 12: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
About: Another annual tradition that has carried on for me for more than 30 years. I watch this every Halloween season, including last Thursday night! I love the story and the character beats here. Charlie and his misguided trick-or-treating, and Linus and his devotion to the Great Pumpkin. This one brings a smile to my face.

No. 11: Soul (2020)
About: It’s a shame this didn’t get more of a roll-out, but it was a victim of the pandemic. Still, the beautiful story of the meaning of life, and the joy we find in honing our craft is rich and engaging. Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey are great here, too. Soul is an under-rated Pixar film.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.